Will this work?

Community General Discussions
1

Hi all, well you'll probably say my goals are a bit of a stretch for a beginer, but here it goes.

I would like to build a servelance robot, that could travel around my property, and send images, remote control, and hopefully other future enhancemnts via wifi to my computer.

Since I am on a limited budget, I was thinking about using this old RC monster truck as as the motivation. Its too fast I'm sure, but it is also good in bumpy terrain,

So I guess what my question is, is it possible to adapt the Aguino control to work off wifi, and can it be adapted to control my 7.2 volt monster truck? The truck also uses a sterring mechanism, to control it's path.

2

Yes it can.

Yes it can but are you really sure you want to do this? Sounds like a great learning curve for a beginner.

3

Hey tooljunki,I think (as

Hey tooljunki,

I think (as noah) that it’s possible, also for you but as noah also pointed out it’ll probably take you some time to learn and get experience while you do so. I think as you go on you’ll realise that your truck might not be the most ideal platform, but it’ll do for a start.

Also remember : we’ll all do our best to help you !

opi

4

Well thanks opi, I’m sorry I

Well thanks opi, I’m sorry I took so long to reply, I was looking at the some of the listings on the main page and it seemed like the most recent were like a year or two ago, so I thought the site had been abandoned and quit coming back to check for a response. I’ve been a tech for 45 years, but I’m not to savvy on bulitin boards.

Meanwhile I got off on a path of learning C++, which I have decided not to persue as it would probably take the rest of my life to learn it, and then what? I guess I’d be a dead geek or what?

I’m probably breaking some forum rule by talking too much, so to the point!

What would I need to control speed and direction of a toy vehicle via wifi to my laptop? And since I’m sitting in the house, and the bot is roaming the property, I’d better have some eyes…

If I need to fork up some bucks to buy a tracker drive, so be it. I expect that would be the long term better investment anyway. And I’m not broke yet! Just want to have some fun, and learn.

thanks for your help, glen.

5

Hi Noah, thanks for your

Hi Noah, thanks for your reply, and although your point is well taken, there are a couple of unknown variables involved here.

One is that I have a high level of technical experience in elctrical circuits, and electro-mechanical controls (motor, inverter, sensor, etc.), (and more importantly) two, I have an unlimited amount of time, with nothing better to do.

So, to answer your question, yes I am sure I want to do this!

So Noah, I was reading in your profile about your fire robot, I am so proud of you for expressing your talent for something useful, most kids your age would be gaming, and I wish you the best on your project! Just remember, that you can do anything, and never give up.

Now I on the other hand have earned the right to waste my time in anyway I desire. And what I’d like to do is sit in the house (when it’s 115 degrees outside) and patrol the property in search of intruders or varments. I have seen a variety of remote control systems but mostly IR or bluetooth. I want to go with wifi, as I have a far better range. What do you think?

thanks, glen

6

Getting started in robotics

Glen,

You may want to scale the project down to something that just navigates the kitchen floor without causing too much damage. There are plenty of kits available requiring various levels of skill and provide for extensive user customization. Starting with a rugard base, good quality motors with encoders, obstacle avoidance sensors & radio should keep you busy for months. Should it work (big if in my case) you could let it outside to prove the wireless scheme.

Video is another complete game. The simple path consists of independent video transmitters and receivers. The robot just carries the load, points the lens, and provides power. A more complex scheme has a simple camera attached to a processor port (think Raspberry Pi). The CPU captures the image, locally processes it, and uploads to the base station. There you have to reverse the operation and display on a console.

 

7

Hi ggallant, Thanks for your

Hi ggallant,

Thanks for your response, and with your credentials, I value your opinion.

I am retired as well, and probably have about as many unfinished projects around as you. So what’s another one right? Anyway, I agree with you totally the better way would be to start with a kit and work my way up, and more than likely I’ll go that route, but when I hear the term “kit” I visualize being up all night at Christmas putting a toy together. It just wouldn’t have the same satisfaction level of doing something from the ground up.

Could you recommend a platform that is fairly challenging, and has ability to add features and customization later? Or do you recommend a limited model and then get a more sophisticated one later?

Thanks, Glen

8

Question for you.What

Question for you.

What programming languages do you have experience in?

I might be able to help you.

9

Hi Jeffr, thanks for your

Hi Jeffr, thanks for your interest, my only experience with programming goes way back, when you mentioned color computer in your bio, it brought back fond memories of my TRS80. Anyway I learned quite a bit about the  “Basic” programing language, even developed a calander program, but never became proficient at it. My only other qualifications are that I have a knack for figuring things out, and an attitude of never giving up.

While I’ve got you, I have been shopping around for a platform to base my survelance robot on, I’m sure that the skeptics will suggest that I’m going overboard, but I’d rather spend my money on something that will fit my eventual goal, that spend half of it on a toy to practice on. So here is the one I’m looking at http://www.lynxmotion.com/p-603-aluminum-4wd1-rover-kit.aspx.

I’m still researching on the control aspect, but I’m leaning toward the Raspberry Pi Modle 3 B.

Let me know what you think, and once again thanks for your help. Glen.

10

Starting Kit

Some features I consider essential:

1. Wheel encoders also called quadrature encoders. Allows you to record distance and calculate speed.
2. 9V motors. Can run logic and motors off a single 11.7V rechargeable battery.
3. CPU board with provision for wireless.
4. Interface I/O pins for SPI, I2C, & analog sensors.

Then again I can be talked into building almost anything with any new (to me) technology. 

An example of a platform with encoders is the DagU Rover 5. There are multiple configurations available. One (I have it) contains an interface board to wire the encoders and motors. You add your own controller. I suspect there are better and or cheaper options.

Another more primitive kit option are the products from Actobotics. They  rugged, simple, and start quite inexpensive. Best feature is the interchangeable components and they can grow with your needs.

RobotShop offers a simple tracked vehicle where the chassis appears to be the CPU board. If the motors don’t have built in encoders you can easly add sone cheap optical rotary switches.

For a CPU platform I would suggest an Arduino compatible. They come with on-board motor interface chips or shields. The ATmel 328 is sufficient for getting started with and cheap enough to throw away when you have reached the useful limits. Many users continue to use an Arduino mor low level motor control and a Raspberry Pi (or similar) for video and high level logic.

For a really adventurous start your hight want to look at the LynxMotion hexapods 

Some people prefer projects that have well defined start and end points. Completion is paramount. Others find starting small and letting the project grow in baby steps is the preferred path. What is your mentality? 

11

I dont have any programming

I dont have any programming experience that will help you with a Raspberry PI.

If you have knowledge of VB you can download Microsoft Visual Studio 2017 Community Edition.

I have done many major projects within in it from object detection to motion detection to facial recognition etc…

There are many useful tutorial on YouTube that will help you learn and show you how to do some of things you are wanting.

In regards to the chassis, you might want to start off smaller and less expensive until you have a better understanding of what you are trying to do. I would suggest this one or this one to get started in learning.

I just recently started learning and applying the Arduino and the programming language and I will tell you I wish I had done it earlier. There is so much you can do and the expense is minimal compared to some of the other options out there.

If you are feeling gutsy and would rather run before you crawl here are some other ideas for you.

Buy and inexpensive chassis and then custom fit it with continuous rotation servos and wheels.

Use a Servo Controller board such as this one.

Get a Windows 8.1 Tablet, you can find them on EBay for $50 and less if you look.

Get a Webcam.

Design some simple software that will allow you to control the two servos for steering via the controller I mentioned above.

Use ContaCam a free software that will detect motion and record and send you alerts.

Remote into the Tablet using another Windows Machine and Remote Desktop, this way you can control where the bot goes and see it in real time.

I have designed software that detects motion,objects,faces and built robots that can track these things and report back.

Take the time and learn a little, we are all here to help you and will gladly do so.

When you take the time to learn and grow you will go much further and feel a sense of pride from what you have done.

If I can help you I will be glad to.

 

 

12

hey jeffr

Thanks for the follow-up, your advice is well taken. I’m doing my research, and balancing my budget, trying to figure out which way to go.

Now you mentioned VB and I think I know what you’re talking about (Visual Basic), but isn’t that a newer version of Basic? You know my TRS80 (color computer) was just a step above the Commodore, but this was back before the age of the mouse… my trs80 came with 64k of memory and I got all the upgrade chips it could take, and got it up to 640k. I got connected to the internet in the early nineties via CompuServe for $4. / month.  Back then the internet was pretty much text and rather boring, and without a mouse difficult to navigate. I paid for that internet connection for a couple of years even though I wasn’t using it, because I couldn’t figure out where to go to cancel it.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I have reviewed your comments and that I appreciate your advice. I’ll be checking back from time to time to let you know how it’s going.

Thanks, Glen

13

Hey ggaliant

Thanks for your response! Just wanted to thank you for your advice, and let you know I’m doing my research and thinking about it…

I found a couple of platforms that I really like, and I’m just trying to decide whether to pull the lever or not.

https://www.robotshop.com/en/makeblock-starter-robot-kit-v2-electronics-blue.html#productsReviewBoxTitle.Very cool and tough looking.

http://www.lynxmotion.com/images/product/large/a4wd01.jpg. This one also requires a 3D printer which is also on my want list, but man that thing can get around!

And since I’m looking toward eventual video monitoring and WIFI communication, I’m leaning toward the Raspberry Pi 3. Now could that be used to control the motors, or do I still need a separate board for that?

I guess those examples kind of display my mentality, I usually dream big, but if I can start simple and then add complexity later in baby steps I’m for it! I don’t like the idea of buying a part, with the intension of eventually throwing it away. So, with that in mind, I’ll continue my research and budgeting, and see where it goes.

Thanks again for your help! glen

14

Thanks!!! I need to update my bio lol.

Hello is there any social media I can contact you on so I could help you do this? I don’t think I can give you all the help you will need just through this forum. I will see if you are on slack but I am more than willing to give you the necessary knowlege and experience you will need. Good luck!!!

15

Getting started

I think you realize that building robots encompasses a range of disciplines, mechanical, electrical & software. Some people like to start with what they know best and diverge, others want to start with outside their current skill set and jump in head first. The Makeblock kits give a good start on the mechanicals & electricals and a so-so with the software.

It has always been personally rewarding whenever I get a motor to spin or a sensor to respond.

16

Glen,Let me know if I can

Glen,

Let me know if I can help you.

I still would suggest getting your hand wet before jumping into a large project.

17

wifi robot control, would like more information, update

Hi folks, I lost track of this forum so I haven’t reported back for a while.

I have (at least for now) forsaken the monster truck idea, just couldn’t get any parts for it, and it needed tires. In the meantime I’ve been researching and learning all kinds of stuff (parts, code, etc.).

I have to tell you I am an appliance technician, and have little experience with electronics, and even less in programming. However, I am determined to reach my goal.

Here’s where I’m at, and what I want to do.

I have a raspberry Pi3B with video cam and have successfully connected it to my wireless network, and established my Pi as a web server (it can stream video to the internet wirelessly), and I have installed Putty on my PC, and can control my Pi wirelessly.

I have acquired a lot of parts for various upgrades, I think I’ll be using an Arduino with a HAT for motor control and sensor reading.

A few of my upgrade ideas include, battery status, direction, location indicator, and cross-hairs (on the base screen). Additional cameras, motion detector and so on.

The original plan was to employ a modified BB gun to deal with the undesirables, but after careful consideration, I reasoned that it might not be legal to weaponize a robot, and besides that, if got one of 'em in the “crawl space” … Who’s gonna fetch the corpse???

So the current plan is to scare the holly crap out of them. That would be in the form of a laser cannon, with a really scary blaster sound.

There’s a lot more to talk about, but my current obstacle is the actual interface. I have picked up a used xbox360 (wired) controller, and have successfully installed it to my PC. Now I need to figure out how to get my controller to talk to my Pi wirelessly. Wish me luck…

Oh and BTW, I have acquired the platform of my dreams for the bot. It is a Dagu Wild Thumper 6WD, and does it look intimidating!

Any advise or comments welcome, glen.